Netherlands marks Remembrance Day in Colombo with tribute to war victims

May 4 (Daily Mirror) - The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands today commemorated Remembrance Day with a solemn ceremony at the Commonwealth War Graves section of the Jawatta Cemetery, honouring Dutch victims of war buried in Sri Lanka.

Acting Ambassador Iwan Rutjens laid floral tributes at the war memorial and individual graves, followed by a two-minute silence in remembrance of the fallen.

According to the Embassy, a total of 36 Dutch nationals who perished during World War II are buried in cemeteries across Sri Lanka, including Colombo, Kandy and Trincomalee.

The Netherlands has observed Remembrance Day annually on May 4 since the end of World War II. Since 1961, the day has been dedicated to remembering all Dutch victims of war, including more than 102,000 Dutch Jews and members of other persecuted communities, as well as those who lost their lives in subsequent conflicts and peacekeeping missions.

The national ceremony is held at Dam Square in the presence of the Dutch King and representatives of the government and parliament, alongside simultaneous observances across cities and towns in the Netherlands.

At 8 p.m., the entire country observes two minutes of silence in a unified tribute to those who lost their lives in war.